Why Residents Crave Connection – And What Property Managers Can Do About It
- Dec 5, 2024
- 2 min read
The Growing Demand for Connection
In today's fast-paced, digital-first world, the majority of people feel disconnected from their neighbors and communities. According to a 2023 study by The Cigna Group, 58% of U.S. adults report feeling lonely, a significant increase from 46% in 2018.
This sense of isolation can impact resident happiness, well-being, and the decision to stay in a property long-term. For property managers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: fostering connection can be the key to happier residents and higher retention rates.
1. The Science Behind Connection
Humans are hardwired for connection. Research shows that:
Loneliness impacts health: Prolonged isolation increases the risk of premature death by 29%, comparable to the risks associated with smoking and obesity.
Community improves satisfaction: A study by Apartment List found that 89% of residents said a sense of community significantly influences their satisfaction with where they live.
Retention increases with connection: Properties with active resident engagement programs see renewal rates increase by 15-20%, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC).
2. The Challenges Property Managers Face
While the benefits of connection are clear, property managers often face hurdles like:
Lack of time: Managing resident events is time-consuming, and 73% of property managers cite "time constraints" as a key challenge in community building.
Resident apathy: About 45% of residents say they don't participate in community events because they feel the events don't cater to their interests.
Budget constraints: With the rising costs of property management, spending on engagement programs often takes a backseat.
3. How Invited Solves These Challenges
This is where Invited comes in. Our app is designed to make community-building simple, efficient, and impactful. Here's how:
Seamless event planning: From trivia nights to yoga classes, Invited makes organizing events a breeze, saving up to 70% of the time typically spent on coordination.
Engagement for all: By focusing on small, interest-based groups, Invited improves participation rates by 2x compared to traditional large-scale events.
Cost-effective solutions: Properties using Invited can reduce their community engagement budgets by 30% while achieving higher resident satisfaction.
4. Actionable Steps for Property Managers
Here are a few steps you can take today to start fostering connection:
Start small: Sponsor low-pressure events like coffee meetups or game nights. According to NMHC, even simple, recurring events can boost engagement by up to 50%.
Empower residents: Use tools like Invited to let residents organize their own interest-based groups and small group hangouts.
Gather feedback: Surveys show that communities actively responding to resident feedback have 30% higher participation rates in events. Invited collects feedback and surfaces insights to you, while prompting residents to share reviews and photos.
A Win-Win for Residents and Managers
Cultivating connection isn't just good for residents—it's great for your property, too. Engaged residents are happy residents, and happy residents stick around. With tools like Invited, property managers can make connection-building effortless, ensuring their communities thrive.
Ready to make your property a hub for connection and community? Let's get started.
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